Hinged cover container



Feb. 13, 1945. H. A. cARRuTH ETAL HINGED COVER CONTAINER Filed July 21, 1942 6 sheets-sheet 1 f INVENToRs M. wm ,M W l d d M Feb. 13, 1945. H. A. CARRUTH ETAL INGED COVER CONTAINER Filed July 21, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 21, 1942 6 Shets-Sheet 3 gli 5.7] w 42 Feb. 13, 1945. H. A. cARRuTH ET A1.

HINGED COVER CONTAINER Filed July 2l, 1942 e sheets-sheet 4 Fd). 13, A1945. H, A. CARRUT'H ET AL 2,369,385

.HINGED COVER CONTAINER Fil ed July 21, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS /rman fuffa/1lb By/Vaall Zawmm HTTONEY Patented Feb. 13, 1945 HINGED COVER CONTAINER Herman A. Carruth, Northl'ord, Conn., and Marshall I. Williamson, New York, N. Y., assignors to National Folding Box Company, New Haven, Conn., a corporation o! New Jersey Application July 21, 1942, Serial No. 4451,709 12 claims. foi.' 229-44.)

This invention relates to hinged cover containers, and more particularly to containers formed from paperboard material comprising a box part having a coverpart hinged thereto and adapted to telescope over the open end yoi? the box part.

In accordance with this. invention, the imf proved hinged cover container may be formed from a single blank of paperboard material and comprises a box forming part deiined by connected front, rear and side wall panels and a bottom wall panel, and a cover part having a top wall panel hinged to the rear wall panel of the box part, a front ilange section adapted to telescope over the front wall Apanel of the box part, and side wall sections adapted to telescope over the side wall panels of the box part. The

front Wall panel of the box part carries an abutment iiap adapted to cooperate with an abutment nap or abutment tabs associated with the front ange section of the cover part to provide means vfor retaining the cover part in closed telescoped position over the box part and to provide resistance to the opening and closing of the cover part so that the cover part will not normally open until opening force is applied to the front flange section thereof.

The container forming blanks are substantially rectangular in form and are so formed that when folded and assembled only one rface of the blank is exposed to external view. The individual container forming blanks may be cut from large sheets Aor rolls of paperboard material oi' the desired strength and texture, which sheets or rolls need be imprinted on one side thereof only. The printing can be conveniently done prior to cutting and Vscoring of theI individual container forming blanks. The cutting and scoring operation may be performed on an automatic cutting and scoring machine at a high production rate and the blanks are so formed that the container assembly operations may be automatically performed at high speed and at low cost.

In one form of the invention the blank is so formed as to permit complete ass^mbly of the cover part before the box forming part is assembled. The cover assembly operation may be performed by a single pass of the blank through an automatic assembling machine. 'I'he box forming part of the blank may then be assembled automatically by a few simpleA folding and gluing operations and the elements of the box'.

forming'part are so arranged and correlatedias to permit this operation to be performed at high speed and at low cost. l y

`assembly of the cover part. The cover forming part of the blank is so designed and constructed as to permit high speed automatc assembly thereof during a single pas-s of the box shell through the assembling machine.

In still another form of the invention the blank is so shaped and formed as to permit complete assembly of the container in. collapsed condition, in which condition it may be shipped and stored. In this form of the blank the entire assembly operation may be performed in rapidly executed successive stages. Two simple folding and one gluing operation are sufllcient yto assemble the cover part and two simple folding and a gluing operation are suiilcient to assemble the box part. The merchandise packer can quickly expand the box part and the cover part of the container by exerting compressive pressure on the side wall panels of the box part and the side wall sections of the cover part. When the merchandise is inserted into the box part the container will be maintained in Ifully expanded position.

These improved containers may be made in any length, width or depth desired and are adapted for the packaging of various articles of merchandise such as smoking tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and other articles of merchandise which have heretofore customarily been packed in hinged cover containers formed of metal or like rigid material. The prepared blanks may be shipped to the mechandise manufacturer in liimted storage and shipping space, and assembled by him as needed on automatic assembling machine provide for the purpose. In the first form of the invention the cover forming part may be asseme accordance with this invention can be manufactured and assembled for a fraction of the cost of comparable metal hinged cover containers and are equally as serviceable for many uses.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved hinged cover container which may be formed entirely of paperboard and assembled automatically at high production speed.

Another object ofi this invention is to provide an improved hinged cover container formed from paperboard material which can be used for the packaging of various articles of merchandise.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved 'container formed from paperboard material comprising a box part and a cover part hinged thereto and adapted to telescope over the open end of the box part, which is provided with means associated with the box and cover parts adapted to retain the cover part in closed position so as to prevent any undesired opening thereof but which nevertheless can be easily and quickly opened and closed as desired, and which is so constructed that the cover part may be swung completely away from the open end oci the box part so as not to interfere with the insertion or removal of the contents.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved blank of paperboard material adapted for assembly into a hinged cover containe;` at low cost and at high production speed.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved hinged cover container formed of paperboard material, which is attractive and neat in appearance, strong and sturdy in construction and serviceable in use, and which can be manufactured at a fraction of the cost of metal hinged cover containers of comparable size.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a prepared paperboard blank which has been cut and scored ready for assembly into the improved container;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the blank showing the initial step in the assembly of the cover part of the container;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a. portion of the blank showing the cover part as it appears at a further advanced stage of assembly;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the blank showing the cover part as it appears at a still further advanced stage of assembly;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view olf a portion of the blank showing the cover part as it appears when fully assembled;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the blank showing the cover part fully assembled and the box part as it appears at an initial stage in its assembly;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view oi.' the blank showing the cover part assembled and the box part as it appears at a further advanced stage of assembly Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the blank with the cover part assembled and with the front panel of the box part in process of being 'folded into assembled position; l

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the container as it appears at a later stage of assembly and immediately prior to the folding of the side Wall forming flaps of the box part:

position and a merchandise package in the process of being inserted into the box part;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the fully assembled and packed container showing the cover part in closed position;

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the packed and closed container as it appears when viewed along line H-I 4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. l5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the container, showing the cover part as it appears when partially raised from its telescoped position over the upper end orf the box part;

Fig. 16 is a plan view of a prepared blank of somewhat modied form from which a container may be assembled by somewhat modified assembly methods;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the blank shown in Fig. 16 as it appears during an initial stage of assembly of the box forming part thereof;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the blank as it appears at one of the later stages om assembly of the box part thereof;

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the blank showing the box part fully assembled and the cover part still unassembled;

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the container showing the box part fully assembled and the cover part as it appears during an initial stage in its assembly;

Fig. 21 shows the container with both box part and cover part assembled but having the side wall panels of the box part still connected to the side wall sections of the cover part;

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the container showing the side lWall sections of the cover part separated from the side wall panels of the box part, with the cover part swung to full open position and the merchandise package in process of being inserted into the box part;

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the packed container showing the cover part in closed position and telesc-oped over the upper end of the box part;

Fig. 24 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the packed container as it appears when viewed along the line 24-24 of Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the upper portion of the container showing the cover part partially lifted from the upper end of the box part;

Fig. 26 is a plan view of a prepared blank of further modified form from which a collapsible hinged cover container may be assembled;

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of a portion of the blank showing the cover part as it appears during one stage in its assembly;

, Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the blank showing the cover part fully assembled in collapsed position;

Fig. 29 is a perspective view of the blank showlng the cover part assembled in collapsed position and the box part in process of assembly;

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of the blank as it appears when the box part and cover part have been fully assembled in collapsed position ready for erection into container form;

Fig. 3l is a perspective view of the container as `it appears during one stage oi erection;

Fig. 32 is a perspective view of the container as it appears when substantially fully erected; and

Fig. 33 is a perspective view of the fully erected container showing the cover part in closed position and telescoped over the upper end of the box part.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the draw ings and the specification.

The prepared blank as shown in Fig. 1 may be cut and scored from, large sheets or rolls of paperboard material of suitable strength and texture after the sheet or roll has been nished and imprinted on one side thereof. The cutting and scoring operation may be performed on an automatic cutting and scoring machine so as to produce the blanks as shown in Fig. 1 in a highly economical manner and with little waste of paperboard material.

The blank as shown in Fig. 1 comprises a front wall panel I connected by a transversely extending score line 5 to a bottom wall panel 3. The opposite edge of bottom wall panel 3 is connected by a transversely extending score line 4 to the lower end of a. rear wall' panel 2. An outer side wall forming flap 5 is connected by a longitudinally extending score line 'I to the adjacent side edge of front wall panel I and an outer side wall forming flap 8 is connected to the opposite side edge of front wall panel 'I by a longitudinally extending score line 9. Similarly, an inner side wall forming flap 6' is connected by a longitudinally extending score line 1 to the adjacent side edge of rear Wall panel 2 and an inner side wall forming ilap 8' is connected to the opposite side edge of rear wall panel 2 along a longitudinally extending score line 9.

A bottom tab I0 is connected by a transversely extending score line 4' to the lower end of each of the inner side wall forming flaps 6 and 8' and when the container is assembled are adapted to overlie the inside face of the bottom wall panel 3. One of the bottom tabs Il) is separated from what will be the lower end of the outer side wall forming flap 6 by a. transverse cut II and the other bottom tab i0 is separated from the adjacent lower end of the outer side wall forming ilap 8 by a similar transverse cut II. The cuts I I may be made so as to substantially align with transversely extending score line 5. Each tab I0 is also separated from the end of the bottom wall panel 3 by a longitudinally extending cui i2, one of which cuts is substantially in alignment with the score line l and the other cut being substantially in alignment with the score line d'. The width of the front wall panel i as deiined by the longitudinally extendingscore lines 'i and 9 is slightly greater than the width of the rear Wall panel 2 as defined by the score lines 1' and 9' so as to permit the outer side wall forming flaps 6 and 8 to squarely fold over the respective inner side wallformingfaps 6' and 8 during assembly of the box part of the container.

The top forming end of the front wall panel I is connected by a, transversely extending score line I3 to an abutment nap I4 having a free abutment edge I5` and tapered side edges IB whose base ends may be spaced a distance substantially equal to the full width of the front Wall panel I. The upper edge Il of each of the outer side wall forming ilaps 6 and 8 and inner side wall forming flaps l' and I' may be tapered slightly as indicated in Fig. 1.

The cover forming part b of the blank. as shown in Fig. l. comprises a top wall panel 2li connected by a transversely extending score line 2| to the upper endof the rear wall panel 2 of the box part. A front ilange section 22 is connected by a transversely extending score line 23 to the top wall panel 20, with the score line 23 extending substantially parallel to the score line 2 I An abutment ilap 24 is connected by a transversely extending score line 25 to the front flange section 22, with the score line 23 extending substantially parallel to the score lines 23 and 2|.

' The longitudinal length of the abutment ap 24 is slightly less than half the corresponding length of the front flange section 22 and is provided with a free abutment edge S. l'.

A side wall section 26 is hinged to each end of the top wall panel 2li by a longitudinally extending score line 2'I. The score lines 21 are'spaced apart a sumcient distance to permit the side wall sections 26 of the cover part to telescope over the adjacent side wall panels of the assembled box part. The score lines 2l and 23 are also spaced a sufficient distance apart to permit the front l ilange section 22 of the cover part to snugly telescope over the front wall panel I of the assembled box part. Each oi' the side wall sections 26 is provided with a securing tab 28 connected thereto by transversely extending score lines 23. The score lines 29 may be in substantial alignment with the adjacent score lines 23. Each of the securing tabs 2B are separated from the adjacent end of the front flange section 22 by a cut 30. The free edge 3| of each side wall section 26 may be arcuate in shape so as to enhance the appearance of the cover part and remove any sharp bends or corners which might otherwise catch on adjacent objects.

The assembly of the blank shown in Fig. 1 into container form may be expeditiously accomplished at high production speed by first assembling the cover part b thereof. A strip of adhesive may first be applied to the inside face of the abutment ap 24. The side wall sections 23 of the cover part are erected so as to extend substantially at right angles to the top wall panel 2li of the cover part as shown in Fig.. 2. The securing tabs 28 are then turned inwardly, as shown in Fig. 3, so that they substantially align with the score line 23. The front flange section 22 is then folded into a position substantially at right angles to the top wall panel 20 so as to overlie the outside face of the inturned. securing tabs 28, as shown in Fig. 4. As a iinal step in the assembly of the cover part the adhesive bearing abutment flap 24 is turned downwardly so as to overlie the inside face of the securing tabs 28 and the abutment ap 2d is firmly pressed into adhesive engagement with the tabs 28 and the inside face of the front flange section 22, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

The box part of the container may then be assembled in accordance with the steps illustrated in Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive. In assembling the box part the merchandise package P, as shown by phantom lines in Fig. 6, may be positioned to rest on the inside face of the rear wall panel 2 as shown in Fig. 6. The merchandise package P then serves as af block or backing around which the various folding operations may be performed. In place of a merchandise package P a suitable form block may be substituted, or if the paperboard blank is sufficiently sti, the

box part may be assembled without any inner I, supporting form.

In assembling the box part the inner side wall forming aps 6' and 8 are rst erected so as to extend substantially at right angles to the rear wall panel 2 as shown in Fig. 6. 'I'he bottom tabs I are then folded inwardly substantially in alignment with the score line 4, as illustrated in Fig. 7. In the next operation the bottom wall panel 3 is raised to a position substantially at right; angles tothe rear wall panel 2 so as to overlie the outside face of the inturned bottom tabs I0, as illustrated in Fig. 8. The front wall panel I is then folded downwardly into a position substantially parallel with the rear wall panel 2, as shown in Fig. 9. When the front wall panel l is in this position, the outer side wall forming flaps 6 and 8 will extend laterally as shown in Fig. 9. A strip of adhesive may then be applied to the inner face of the side wall forming aps 6 and B, following which the flaps 6 and 8 are folded downwardly substantially at right angles to the front wall panel I and pressed into adhesive contact with the adjacent inner side wall forming flaps B' and 8', as illustrated in Fig. 10. The container, having its cover part and box part thus fully assembled, appears as shown in Fig. 10. When the completed container moves from the assembly line, the cover part b is in partially open position, as shown in Fig. 10. When the cover part is in closed position the container appears as illustrated in Fig. 1l.

In event the merchandise package P has not been inserted during assembly of the box part, as at steps illustrated in Figs. 6, 'I or 8, the merchandise plug P may be telescoped into the box part a after the container has been completely assembled and the cover part b swung into the full open position as illustrated in Fig. 12. Insertion of the merchandise plug into the fully assembled container may be performed on standard packaging equipment. After the merchandise plug has been inserted into the box part, the cover part can be swung into closed position, as illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14. A revenue stamp, tape nr wrapping, as desired, may then be applied to the fully packaged and closed container illustrated in Figs. 11 and 13.

When access to the contents is desired, upward pressure is exerted on the lower free edge of the front ange section 22 of the cover part. Stresses are thus imposed on the front wall panel I and the rear wall panel 2 of the box part, causing them to bow inwardly as illustrated in Fig. 15. The stresses thus engendered resist opening of the cover part and maintain the cover part in positive closed position until suiicient upward force is exerted on the front flange 22 to overcome this resistance. However, a very slight downward force only need be exerted on the top wall panel 20 of the cover part to effect closing of the cover part. This resistance to opening continues until the hinged abutment flap I4 extends at an obtuse angle to the front wall panel I. The hinged abutment flap I4 and fixed abutment ap 24 are so shaped and proportioned as to offer the desired resistance to the normal opening of the cover part, so that the cover part is retained in closed position and will not open during normal handling of the container. Thus the cover part can only be opened by applying force to the cover part suflicient to overcome the resistance offered to the hinging movement oi the hinged abutment flap I4 during a part of the aseasss swinging movement of the cover part from closed to open position.

A highly satisfactory hinged cover container is thus provided which is sturdy and strong in construction and attractive in appearance. The assembly operations illustrated can all be performed automatically at a high production rate and at low cost. This improved container is adapted for the packaging of smoking tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and numerous other articles of merchandise which have heretofore been packaged in rigid hinged cover containers. This improved container can be manufactured at a fraction of the cost of comparable rigid hinged cover containers and is fully as serviceable for many uses.

There is shown in Fig. 16 a prepared blank of paperboard material of somewhat modiiied form and which is so shaped and designed that it may be speedily assembled by automatic equipment of somewhat diierent type than the equipment required to assemble the blank as illustrated in Fig. 1. The blanks in the form shown in Fig. 16 may be out and shaped on an automatic cutting -and scoring machine from large sheets or rolls of paperboard materialwhich have been previously nished and imprinted on one side thereof only. The blank is so formed as to expose only the nished side of the assembled container to exterior View.

The blank shown in Fig. 16 comprises a box forming part a and a cover forming part b which are hingedly connected by transversely extending score line 2|". The box forming part comprises a front wall panel 4| connected by a transversely extending score line 45 to a bottom wall panel 43. The opposite edge of the bottom wall panel 43 is connected by a transversely extending score line 44 to the lower edge of a rear wall panel 42. An inner side wall .forming flap 46 is connected by longitudinally extending score line 4'I to one side of the front wall panel 4I and the opposite side edge of front wall panel 4I is connected by a longitudinally extending score line 49 to an inner side wall forming flap 48. An outer side wall forming flap 46' is connected along a longitudinally extending score line 41 to one side edge of rear wall panel42 and the opposite edge of rear wall panel 42 is connected by a longitudinally extending score line 49 to an outer side wall forming ap 48'. The score lines 41 and 49 are spaced apart a slightly greater distance than score lines 4'I and 49 so as to permit the forming flaps 46 and 48 to fold squarely over the inner side wall forming flaps 4B and 48 when the box part of the container is assembled.

A bottom tab 50 is connected by a. longitudinally extending score line 5I to each end of bottom wall panel 43. Each tab 50 has a mitered edge 5I which extends at an angle of approximately 45 to the transverse score line 45 and the lower end of each of the inner side wall forming flaps 46 and 48 are also provided with a mitered edge 52 which extends substantially at an angle of 45 to the transverse score line 45. The lower ends of the outer side wall forming flaps 46' and 48 are each separated by a notch cut-out 53 from the adjacent bottom tab` 50.

An abutment iiap 54 is connected by a transversely extending score line 54 to the upper end of front wall panel 4I. Abutment iiap 54 is provided with a free abutment edge 55 and tapered ends 56. The upper ends 51 of each of the inner side wall forming aps 46 and 48 and the outer side wall forming naps 48' and 48' are cut on a slight bevel, as illustrated in Fig. 16.

The cover part b comprises a top wall panel 60 connected to the upper end of4 rear wall panel 42 by the transversely extending. score line 2|'.` A

edges 68 which are adapted to engage the abutfront ilange section 6| is connected by transversely extending score line 62 to the top wall panel 6U. 'I'he top wall panel 60 is provided with side wall sections 63 connected thereto by a longitudinally extending score line 64. In the formed blank one side wall section 63 is severably connected to the outer side wall forming ap 46' of the box part by a line of perforations 51 and the other side wall section 63 is similarly connected by a line of perforations 51 to the upper end of thel other side wall forming flap 48. When the lines of perforationsi51 are torn the upper edge 51 of the outer side wall flaps are beveled in the same manner as the beveled ends 51 of inner side wall formingflaps 46 and 48.

A securing tabA 65 is connected to each of the side wall sections 63 by-a score line 66 which is vsubstantially in alignment with score line 62. Each tab 65 is separated from the adjacent end of the front flange section 6| by a notch cut-out 6l, as shown in Fig. 16, so that the end extension 55' of each tab 65 is provided with an abutment edge 6B and a beveled edge 69. Thev tabs 65 and their associated end extensions 65 are designed to be adhesively secured to the inside face of the front ange section 6| when the cover part is assembled, and when the cover part is in closed position over the fully assembledbox part their fixed abutment edges 68 are designed to abut against the abutment edge 55 of the hinged flap 54 associated with the box part and their beveled edges BQ-miter with the tapered .ends 56 of the hinged flap 54.

The blank shown in Fig. 16 is adapted to be assembled in two stages. which comprise assembling the box part a' in the mannerillustrated in Figs. 17,18 and 19 and thereafter assembling the cover part `li' as illustrated in Figs. 20 and 21, both of whichoperations can be performed entirely automatically at a high production rate. In assembling the box part, adhesive g may first be applied to the inside face of the outer 'side wall forming flaps` `46 and 48', as shown in Fig. 17,. The bottorntabs4 50 `are folded upwardly substantially at right angles to bottom wall panel 43 against a suitable form block or plunger. a portion of which is shownin phantom at L in Fig. 17.. The front wall panel 4| and the rear wall panel 4,2 are `then substantially simultaneously folded at rightangles to the bottom wall panel 43 against the sides` of the block or plungerv shown in Fig. 20. adhesive is applied to theinside face ofthe front` angesection 6|, and the front flange section 6 l` is thenraised to extend-substari` tially at right angles to the top wallpanel 60 and pressed into adhesive engagement `withthe inturned securing `tabsytii. `Whenthus assembled the securing tabs 65 present aligned abutment with the box part. Upon completion of the container in the form shown in Fig. 21. the lines of perforations 51 which connect the side wall sections 63 of the cover part to the outer side wall forming flaps 46 and 48 o1 the box part, are broken by bending the top wall panel 60 of the cover part into the position shown in Fig. 22. The merchandise plug P, as shown in Fig. 22, may then be readily inserted. When the cover is in closed position the container appears as shown in Fig. 23.

When access to the contents is desired, upward pressure is exerted on the lower free edge of the front flange section 6| of the cover part. Stresses are thus imposed on the front wall panel 4| and rear wall panel 42 of the box part, causing them to bow inwardly as illustrated in Fig. 25. Resistance to opening continues until the hinged abutment flap 54, as shown in Fig. 25, extends at an obtuse angle to the front wall panel 4|. The hinged abutment flap 54 and the xed abutment tab extensions 65 are so shaped and proportioned as to oifer the desired resistance to the normal opening of the cover part so that the cover part is retained in closed position and will not open during normal handling of the contamer. The beveled edge 69 of the securing tabs 65 are so shaped as to receive 'the tapered ends 56 of the hinged abutment flap 54 therebetween where the abutment edge 55 engages the aligned` abutment edges 68 of the tabextension's 65'. f

There is shown in Fig. 26 a prepared paper? board blank of further modified form, which is sc shaped and designedthat a hinged cover container may be quickly assembled in wholly collapsedcondition by a few simple gluing and folding operations which can beautomatically per formed at high speed. The blank as shown in Fig. 26 may be cut and scored on an automatic cutting and scoring machine and when assembled into container form presents only one face of the blank to exterior view. The blank comprises a box forming part a" and a cover forming part b" which are connected by a transversely extending score line 2|".

The box forming part a" comprises a front wall panel 1| connected by a transversely extendmg score line 15 to the bottom wall panel 131. The` opposite edge of the bottom wallpanel 13 cont nected by a transversely extending score line 'I4 to the lower edge of the rear wall panel 12. A sei curing flap 16 is hinged along a longitudinally extending score line` 11 to each sideedge of the front wall panel 1|. A sidewall panel 18 is hingedly connected along longitudinally `extending score line 19 to each side edge of the rear wall lpanel 12. The upper edges 19' 4of the side wall panels 18 are cut on a mitre, as shown in Fig.. 26.` An abutment flap is hingedl'yconnectedl along; a transversely extending scoreline 8| to the upper edge of the front wall panel' To permit collapse of the assembled box part of the container, the bottom walll panel 13 is provided with a transversely' extending score line 85` extending across the midsection thereof and each of the side wallpanels 18 is also provided witha i longitudinally extending score`line`86 extending along'the midseetion thereof. y ,l The cover forming part b" comprises a top wall panel 90 hinged tothe upper edge of the rear wall panel 12 of the box part along 4,the transversely,v

lextending score line 2|" and a frontflange section 9|- hinged to the top wall panel 90 along a transversely extending score line 92. A side form.

ing section 93 is hinged to each end of the top wall panel along a longitudinally extending score line 94. The score lines 94 should be slightly out of alignment with the score line 19 of the box part so as to permit the side wall sections 93 to snugly telescope over the side wall panels 18 of the box part. A securing tab 95 is hingedly connected to each side wall section 93 along a transversely extending score 'line 96 which is substantially in alignment with the transverse score line 92. Each securing tab 95 is provided with a tab extension 95' which is provided with a relatively `straight abutment edge 96. The straight abutment edge 96 is met by a beveled edge 91 which intersects the score line 96.

The cover part b" may also be made collapsible by providing a score line 98 extending diagonally across each of the side wall sections 93 so as to divide each side wall section 93 into collapsing portions 93 and 93" of substantially equal size. 'I'he outer edge 99 of each side wall section 93 may be relatively straight and extendfrom the y transverse score line 2| to the. outer edge of the adjacent securing tab 95.

In assembling the blank shown in Fig. 26 into container form, the cover part b" is first assembled by folding each of the side wall sections 93 on their respective diagonal fold lines 98 so as to place the collapsing portion 93" in superimposed relationship over collapsing portion 93', as shown in Fig. 27. Each of the securing tabs 95 will then overlie the inside face of top wall panel 98. Spots of adhesive y, as shown in Fig. 27, are then ap plied to the inside face of front flange section 9|, each adhesive spot having an area substantially equal to the area of the adjacent securing tab 95. The front flange section is then folded about score line 92 so as to overlie the inside face of the top wall panel 90 and the glued areas on the front flange section 9| are pressed into adhesive contact with the adjacent securing tabs 95, previously folded to overlie the inside face of the top wall panel 96. The cover part b is then completely assembled in collapsed condition as illustrated in Fig. 28.

The box part of the blank is then assembled by folding the front wall panel 1| along the transverse collapsing crease 85 in the bottom wall panel so that the front wall panel 1| will overlie the inside face of the rear wall panel 12 and one of the half portions 13 of the bottom wall panel will overlie the other half portion 13, as illustrated in Fig. 29. Each of the securing naps 16 will then also overlie the inner halfl portion 18' of the adjacent side wall panel 18. It will be noted that the transverse width of each of the securing aps'13 is slightly less than the width of the ad-v jacent inner half portion 18 of the adjacent side wall panel 18. A strip of adhesive g is then applied to the inside face of each outer half portion 18" of each side wall panel 18, as illustrated in Fig. 29. The outer side portions 18" are then folded about the score lines 86 so as to overlie the adjacent securing flaps 16 and are Dressed into adhesive contact therewith. The box part, thus fully assembled in collapsed position, appears as illustrated in Fig., 30.

The collapsed containers, each assembled as shown in Fig. 30, may be stacked one upon the other in a limited space and shipped to the merchandise manufacturer. When the merchandise is to be' packed therein the box part of the collapsed container may be readily expanded by exerting compressive pressure on the outbowed side wall panels 18 at the collapsing score lines, 86. Such pressure will serve to expand the body of the box part and flatten out the bottom wall panel 13 thereof as shown in Fig. 32. The merchandise package may then be inserted into the box part and the merchandise package will serve to maintain the box part in fully expandedform.

The cover part may be similarly erected by exerting compressive pressure on the collapsing side wall 'sections 93 applied to the respective collapsing score lines 98, by which operation the sections 93 will straighten and the front ange sections 9| will swing into position substantially at right angles to the top wall panel 98. After bending down abutment ap 80, the cover part b" may be swung into closed position and the completed and packed container will appear as illustrated in Fig` 33. When the cover part is in closed position, the abutment edge 82 of the hinged abutment flap 60 will engage the abutment edges 96' of the securing flaps 95 and the tapered edges 83 of the hinged flap 80 will seat between thevbeveled edges 91 of the securing tabs 95. The c'over part is thus held in closed position and the hinged nap in cooperation with the abutment edges 96' will resist opening `movement of the cover part.

When access to the contents is desired, upward pressure is exerted on the lower free edge of the front flange section 9| of the cover part. Stresses are thus imposed on the front wall wall panel 1| and rear wall panel 'I2 of the box part, causing inward bowing of the upper ends thereof, which resistance to opening and closing continues until sufficient force is exerted on the cover part to overcome this resistance and until the hinged abutment flap 88 extends at an obtuse angle to the front wall panel The hinged abutment nap 80 and the fixed abutment extensions are so shaped and proportioned as to oifer the desired resistance to the normal opening of the cover part, so that the cover part is retained in closed position and will not open during normal handling of the container.

part of the container shown in Figs. 32 and 33 is substantially similar to that of the container il-- lustrated in Fig. 25.

The box forming blanks above described and illustrated in the drawings can be cut and scored at high production speeds on an automatic cutting and scoring machine. The blanks are so designed as to permit high speed automatic assembly thereof either in whole or in part by the merchandise manufacturer or in whole or in part by the box maker. The containers are strong and sturdy in construction and attractive in appearance, and are adapted for the packaging of numerous articles of merchandise which have been heretofore packaged in metal or other rigid hinged cover containers. The Vcontainers herein described can be manufactured and assembled at a cost substantially less than the cost of making and assembling such other hinged cover containers of comparable size and are equally as serviceable for most uses.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved hinged cover container formed from a single blank of paperboard material comprising, a box part having a front wall panel and a rear wall panel connected at Athe lowerends thereof to a bottom wall panel, overlapping side wall forming aps extending from the side edges of said front and rear wall panels providing side wall panels for the box` part, said box part having an open upper end, and a cover part for said open upper end,said cover part having a top wall panel hinged to the upper edge of the rear wall panel of the box part, a front flange section hinged to said top wall panel and adapted to telescope over the front wall panel of the box part, side wall sections rigidly connecting the endsiof said top wall panel and said front iiange section, and a pair of cooperating abutment elements associated with the box part and the cover part substantially wholly contained within the cover part when the cover part ls in closed position, one of said abutment elements being connected to the front wall panel o i the box part and overlying the outside face and adjacent to the open end thereof, said other abutment element being connectedto the front flange Vsection of the cover part and overlying the inside face thereof, said abutment elements being auof the cover part from closed to opened position.

2. An improved hinged cover container formed from paperboard material comprising, a box part having a front wall panel and 'a rear wall panel connected at the lower ends thereof to a bottom wall panel, overlapping side wall forming flaps extending from the side edges of said front and rear wall panels providing side wall i panels for the box part, said box part having an open upper end, and a cover` part for said openV upper end, said cover part having a top wall panel hinged to the upper edge of the rear wall panel of the box part, a front flange section hinged to said top wall panel and adapted to telescope over the front wall panel of the box part, a. side wallsection hinged to each end of the top wall panel and adapted to telescope over the adjacent side wall panel of the box part, a tab hinged to each of said side Wall sections and secured to the adjacent end of said front ange section, and a pair of cooperating abutment elements associated with the box part and the cover part substantially wholly contained within the cover part when the cover part is in closed position, one of said abutment elements comprisin`gl a flap hinged to the front wall panel of the box part and overlying the outside face and adjacent to the open end thereof, said other abutment element being connected to the front flange section of the cover part and overlying the in-l closed toward opened position, said hinged flap having an abutment edge arranged to move into abutment with an abutment edge of the other i 7 abutment element and maintain compressive stress on said hinged ilap durlng'said predetermined swinging movement of the cover part from closed 'to opened position. v

`3. 'An improved hinged cover container formed from a single blank of paperboard material comprising, a box part having a front wall panel and a rear wall panel connected at the lower ends thereof `to a bottom wall panel, side wall panels connecting the adjacent side edges of said front and rearwall panels, said bottom wall panel and side wall panels each having a medially extending score line permitting flat collapse of said box part, said box part having an open upper end, and a cover part for said open upper end, said cover part having a top lwall panel hinged to the upper edge of the rear wall panel `of the box part, a front flange sectionhinged to said top'wall panel and adapted to telescope over the front wall panel of the box part, side wall sections connecting the ends of said top wall panel and said front iiange section, a score line extending diagonally across each of said side wall sections .permitting flat collapse of the cover part, and a pair of cooperating abutment elements associated with the box part and the cover part substantially wholly contained within the cover part when the cover part is in closed position, one of said abutment elements being connected to the front wall panel of the box part and overlying the outside face and adjacent to' the open end thereof, said other abutment element being connected to the front flange section of the cover part andloverlying thi inside face thereof, said abutment elements being automatically operative to releasably retain the cover part in closed position and releasably re-4 sist opening movement ofthe cover part `until said cover part has been forcibly swung a predetermined distance from closed toward opened position, one of said abutment elements compris-4 ing a hinged flap having an abutment edge arranged to move into abutment with an abutment edge of the other abutment element and maintain compressive stress on said hinged iiap during saidpredetermined swinging movement of the cover part from closed to opened position.

4. An improved paperboard blank adapted for assembly into a hingedcover container comprising, a box forming part having a bottom wall panel, a front wall panel hinged to one edge of said bottom wall panel and a rear wall panel hinged to the opposite edge of said bottom wall panel, a side wall panel hingedly connected to each side edge of said rear wall panel, a side wall panel securing ilap hinged to each side edge of said front wall panel, a score line extending medially across said bottom wall panel and said side wall panels whereby the box part of the container may be collapsed upon assembly, and an abutment ap connectedto the upper edge of said front wall panel, said cover forming part comprising a top wall' panel. hinged to the upper edge of said rear wall panel of the box part, a front angesection hinged to the opposite edge of said top wall panel, a side wall section hinged to each end of the top wall panel, a tab hinged to each of said side wallsections, a score line extending diagonally across each of said side wall sections whereby the cover part when assembled may be collapsed, said tabs having an abutment edge associated therewith adapted to cooperate with the abutment flap associated with the front wall panel of the box part to releasably retain the cover part in closed position when the container is assembled.

5. An improved paperboard shell comprising a box part and a cover part. said shell having a front wall and a rear wall connected at the lower ends thereof to a bottom wall panel which provides a bottom wall panel for the box part, overlapping side wall forming naps extending -from y substantially at right angles to the side edges thereof dividing said rear wall into a. rear wall panel for the box part and a. top wall panel for K the cover part, a separating line extending transversely across each of said side walls and substantially meeting the adjacent end of the score line in said rear wall whereby each side wall is divided into a side wall panel for the box part and an unbroken and unweakened side wall section for the cover part, said front wall of the shell having a free upper end spaced from the upper end wall of the shell, said front wall form ing the front wall panel of the box part, and an abutment ilap hinged to the upper end of the front wall panel adapted to be folded to overlie the outside face thereof, an abutment element xed to and extending inside the face of the front flange section of the cover part, said abutment element and said hinged ilap being wholly contained within the cover part when the cover part is in` closed'position, said abutment element and hinged abutment flap presenting cooperating abutment edges automatically operative to releasably retain the cover part in closed position and releasably resist opening movement thereof.

6. An improved paperboard shell comprising a box part and a cover part, said shell having a front Wall and a rear wall connected at the lower ends thereof to abottom wall panel which provides a bottom. wall panel for the box part, overlapping side wallforming flaps extending from the side edges of said front and rear walls providing side walls for said shell, an upper end wall forming nap hinged to and extending substantially at right angles from the upper end of said rear wall providing a front flange section for-the cover part, a securing tab extending from the upper end of each of said side wall and secured to said end wall ap, said rear wall having a score line extending transversely` thereof and substantially at right angles to the side edges thereof dividing said rear wall into a rear wall panel for the box part and a top wall panel for the cover part, a severable line of perforations extending transversely across each' of said side Walls and substantially joining the adjacent end of the score line in said rear Wall whereby each side wall is divided into a side wall panel for the box part and an unbroken and unweakened side wall section for the cover part, said front wall of the shell being shorter in length than the rear wall thereof and having a free upper end spaced from the upper end wall of the shell whereby the front wall of the shell forms only the front wall panel of the box part, said side walls being severable along said perforated lines by hinging the cover part rearwardly along the score line traversing said rear wall to thereby provide a box part comprising a self-contained receptacle with an open upper end and a cover part for said open upper end whose unbroken side wall sections are adapted to snugly telescope over the adjacent side wall panels of the box part and whose front flange section is adapted to snugly telescope over the front wall panel of the box part, an abutment iiap hinged to the upper end of the front wall panel adapted to be folded over the outside face thereof, an abutment :element Pfixed to and extending along the inside face of the front ilange section of the cover part, said abutment element and said hinged ilap being wholly contained within the cover part when the cover part is in closed position, said abutment element and hinged abutment nap presenting cooperating abutment edges automatically operative to releasably retain' the cover part in closed position and releasably resist opening movement thereof.

'1. An improved paperboard shell comprising a. box part and a cover part, said shell having a front wall and a rear wall connected at the lower ends thereof by a bottom wall panel which provides a bottom wall panel for the box part, overlapping side wall forming flaps extending from the side edges of said front and rear walls providing side walls for said shell, an upper end wall forming ilap hinged to and extending substantially at right angles from the upper end of said rear wall providing a front ilange'section for the cover part, a securing tab extending from the upper end of each of said side walls and secured to said front flange section, said rear wall having a score line extending transversely thereof and substantially at right angles to the side edges thereof dividing said rear wall into a f length than the rear wall thereof and having a free upper end spaced from the upper end wall of the shell whereby the front wall of the shell forms the front wall panel of the box part, said bottom wall panel and side wall panels each having a medially extending score line permitting ilat collapse of said box part, a score line extending diagonally across each of said side wall sections permitting ilat collapse 0f the cover part, an abutment nap hinged to the upper end of the front wall panel adapted to be folded to overlie the outside face thereof, an abutment element ilxed to and extending along the inside face of the front ange section of the cover part, said abutment element and said hinged flap being wholly contained within the cover part when the cover part is in closed position, said abutment element and hinged abutment flap presenting cooperating abutment edges automatically operative to releasably retain the cover part in closed position and releasably resist opening movement thereof.

8. An improved hinged cover container formed from paperboard material comprising, a box part having a front wall panel and a rear wall panel connected at the lower ends thereof to a bottom wall panel, overlapping side wall forming flaps extending from the side edges of said front and rear wall panels providing side wall panels for said cover part having a top wall panel hinged to the upper edge of the rear wall panel o! the box part, a front flange section hinged to said top Wall panel and adapted to telescope over the front wall panel of the box part, a side wall section hinged to each end of the top wall panel and adapted to telescope over the adjacent side wall panel of the box part, a tab hinged to each of said side wall sectionsand secured to the adjacent end of said front flange section, and a pair of cooperative abutment naps associated with the box part and the cover part substantially wholly contained within the cover part when the cover part is in closed position, one of said abutment flaps being hinged to the front wall panel of the box part and overlying the outside face and atacent to the open end thereof, said other abutment flap being connected to the front iiange section of the cover part and overlying the inside face thereof, said abutment flaps being automatically operative to reieasably retain the cover part in closed position and reieasably resist opening movement of the cover part until saidcover part has been forcibly swung a predetermined distance from closed toward opened position, said hinged ap having an abutment edge arranged to move into abutment with an -abutment edge of the other abutment flap and maintain compressive stress on said hinged flap during said predetermined swinging movement of the cover part from closed to opened position.

9. An improved hinged cover container formed from a single blank of paperboard material comprising, a box part having a iront wall panel and a rear wall panel having their respective lower ends hingedly connected to a bottom wall panel, overlapping side wall forming flaps extending from the side edges of said front and rear wall panels providing side wall panels for the box part, said box part having an open upper end, and a cover part for said open upper end, said cover part having a top Wall panel hinged to the upper edge of the rear wall panel of the box part, a front flange section hinged to said top wall panel and adapted to telescope over the front wall panel of the box part, a side wall section hinged to each end of the top wall panel and adapted to telescope over the adjacent side Wall panel of the box part, an abutment tab connectedalong a score line to each of said side wall sections overlapping and secured to the inside'face of the top wall panel to thereby maintain said side wall sections and said front flange section xedly secured to said top wall panel, an abutment flap hinged to the upper end of said front Wall panel and normally extending along the outside face of said front wall panel, said abutment tabs and abutment flap being substantially Wholly contained within the cover part when the cover part is in closed position, said abutment tabs and abutment flap being automatically operative to reieasably retain the cover part in closed position and reieasably resist opening movement of the cover part until said cover part has been forcibly swung a predetermined distance from closed toward opened position, said hinged abutment iiap having an abutment edge arranged to move into abutment with an abutment edge presented by said abutment tabs and maintain compressive stress on said hinged flap during said predetermined swinging movement of the cover part from closed to opened position.

10. A paperboard structure for forming a reclosable container, said structure including an open-ended box part. polygonal in horizontal cross-section and having flexible walls which include a front panel and a back panel, a cover part for said open end comprising a top wall panel hingedly connected to the upper edge of' the back panel of the box part along a fold line, said top wall panel having the dimensions of the open end of the box part and having hingedly connected thereto along an edge thereof opposite said rst named edge, a flexible cover front panel coextensive with the edge of the cover top panel to which it is hinged, said cover front panel having hingedly connected thereto at the ends thereof naps forming cover side panels, said flaps having tabs hinged thereto for securing said cover front panel and said cover side panels in rightangular relationship to said top wall panel, said cover front panel having an abutment flap of less width than said cover front panel secured to the edge of the said cover front panel opposite its hinged edge for presenting an abutment edge intermediate the width of said cover front panel, an elongated abutment flap of less width than said cover front panel secured to the outer edge of the front panel of the box part for presenting a downwardly facing abutment edge, one of said abutment flaps being secured in face-toface relation with the cover front panel to which it is attached, the other of said abutment aps being hingedly and swingably secured to the box front panel to which it is attached, the combined width of said abutment flaps being not greater than the width of said cover front panel.

11. A paperboard structure for forming a reclosable container, said structure including an open-ended box part, polygonal in horizontal cross-section and having flexible walls which include a front panel and a back panel, a cover part for said open end comprising a top wall panel hingedly connected to the upperedge oi' the back panel of the box part along a fold line, said top wall panel having the dimensions of the open end oi' the box part and having hingedly connected thereto along'an edge thereof opposite said first named edge a flexible cover front panel coextensive with the edge of the cover top panel to which it is hinged, said cover front panel having hingedly connected thereto at .the ends thereof flaps forming cover side panels, said flaps having tabs hinged thereto for securing said cover front panel and said cover side panels in right-angular relationship to said top wall panel, each of said tabs having an abutment portion of less width than said cover front panel fixed to the inner edge of the said cover front panel opposite its hinged edge for presenting an abutment edge intermediate the width of said cover front panel, an elongated abutment iiap of less width than said cover front panel articulated to the outer upper edge of the front panel of the box part for presenting a downwardly facing abutment edge, said tabs being secured in face-toface relation with the cover front panel to which it is attached, said abutment flap being hingedly and swingably secured to the box front panel to which it is attached, said ap and abutment portions as assembled in container form presenting a combined width not greater than the width of said cover front panel.

12. A paperboard structure for forming a reclosable container, said structure including an open ended box part having a front wall panel and a rear wall panel, side wall panels for connecting adjacent side edges of said front and rear wall panels, said side wall panels each having a medially extending score line permitting flat collapse of said box part, a cover part for said open end and comprising a top wall panel hingedly connected to the upper edge of the rear wall panel of the box part along a fold line, said top wallpanel having the dimensions of the open end of the box part and having hingedly connected thereto along an edge thereof opposite said first named edge, a exible cover front panel coextensive with the edge of the cover top panel to which it is hinged, one of said cover panels having hingedly connected thereto at the ends thereof flaps forming cover side panels, said flaps having means secured thereto for securing said cover front panel and said cover side panels in right-angular relationship to said top wall panel, said cover front panel having an abutment element of less width than said cover front panel secured to the edge of the said cover front panel opposite its hinged edge for presenting an abutment edge intermediate the width of said cover front panel, an elongated abutment element of less width than said cover front panel secured to the upper edge of the front panel of the box part for presenting a downwardly facing abutment edge, one of said abutment elements being secured in face-to-face relation with the front panel to which it is attached, the other of said elements being a flap hingedly and swingably secured to the front panel to which it is attached, the combined width of said abutment elements being not greater than the width of said cover front panel.

MARSHALL I. WILLIAMSON. HERMAN A. CARRUTI-I. 

